Brazil is the latest country to notify Apple about the issue of prohibiting developers from using external payment systems or linking to websites for payments. The regulatory agency overseeing competition in Brazil has stated that Apple must lift this prohibition for developers of apps used in the country.
Specifically, the order stipulates that Apple requires developers selling digital goods or content within an app to use the App Store’s In-App system for payments exclusively. They cannot connect to other payment systems or developer websites. Failure to comply will result in the app being banned. The agency views this as anti-competitive behavior. The order also mandates that Apple must allow users to choose alternative payment methods outside the app, such as inserting links to external sites or enabling other payment systems within the app that are not Apple’s In-App system.
Apple has a 20-day deadline to comply with this order, with a maximum fine of 250,000 reais per day (approximately 1.5 million baht) if they fail to do so. Previously, there were reports that the European Union could also issue penalties to Apple for similar restrictions on in-app payment methods.
Source: Reuters
TLDR: Brazil demands that Apple allows developers to use external payment systems in their apps, or face potential fines. EU may also penalize Apple for similar restrictions.
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